Jack Hargreaves' Old Country

Jack Hargreaves celebrates rural England, intertwining folklore, crafts and gentle storytelling to showcase the character of the countryside. In his explorations he documents vanishing traditions and changing landscapes, offering a quiet portrait of a way of life that is slowly disappearing.

The Children’s Fishing Competition is a programme presented as an episode that centres on a fishing contest for youngsters across the UK. It is structured as a television episode, falling within the broader genre of children’s competition programming. The format follows the participants as they take part in a traditional angling challenge. In this instalment, Jack Hargreaves uses the setting to celebrate rural England in the countryside. He weaves together elements of folklore and local crafts, delivering the story in a gentle, measured style. As the competition unfolds, Hargreaves turns his attention to the disappearing customs and the changing countryside that frame the event. The episode therefore pairs the practical aspects of the fishing competition with a broader cultural narrative, and community. By highlighting regional folklore and hand‑made crafts, it situates the young anglers within a living tradition. The gentle storytelling approach keeps the focus on both the sport and the surrounding heritage. Hargreaves’ narration underscores how the landscape and its associated practices are gradually fading. Through his calm commentary, viewers receive a portrait of a countryside where ancient customs still echo, even as they recede. The programme thus offers a subtle reminder of the value of preserving rural traditions alongside contemporary pursuits for future generations.